Inspirational Places & English Heritage

Some people may know that I have a love of history. So earlier this year, after wanting to for quite some time, I joined English Heritage. You can find out more about them by clicking here. I've always wanted to become a member, and in May my other half decided to buy me an early birthday present while we were visiting my favourite place on earth, Whitby Abbey. It was my second visit to the abbey and he wanted to treat me to something he knew I would love.

Since then, I've visited some amazing places. My sister, who shares my love of these buildings, joined in August, and we immediately planned a few days away so we could go visiting. We spent three days in Telford and loved every minute of it.

Shortly after receiving my membership, I applied to be a panel member. I WAS ACCEPTED! To say I was excited... would be an understatement. I'll keep this page updated with photos from my visits, information on the places and more. You can view even more of these photos and learn more about the properties by visiting my website. I don't post ALL my photos, since some people like to try and pinch them. The quality has also been reduced slightly to put these people off stealing them.

My membership is very important to me, not only because of my love of history, and the enjoyment I get out of visiting these properties, but because they serve as inspiration. Just as Whitby Abbey inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula. These places send my head spinning with ideas. When I walk around them, it's almost like I'm no longer living in 2014. I see people walking around me, dressed in the old clothing and going about their business. The sheer age and beauty of these places causes me to walk around with a permanent smile on my face.

I don't only visit English Heritage sites. I'll also be posting the photos of these places on here. These will be marked as Non -EH.

UPDATE
As part of the Members Panel, I've been invited to attend Whiby Abbey again. This time to enjoy their event "The Illuminated Abbey". I was ecstatic. However, I'm not a driver and live quite far away in Manchester. Thankfully, as soon as I told my lovely other half, he immediately phoned his worked and booked a couple of days off. By the end of that day, we had a hotel booked in Scarborough and were all set to go. I simply cannot wait. As well as receiving the invitation for me and a guest to attend, I received a members panel badge, and a £20 gift voucher. That was something I certainly didn't expect and I'm very grateful for. I'll be posting the photos on here, just scroll down. Those who follow me on Facebook will no doubt see them the day after my visit.

PHOTOS AND LOCATIONS

My beloved Whitby Abbey. (Scroll down further for "The Illuminated Abbey" event photos.) Click the images to enlarge.

Whitby Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey overlooking the North Sea on the East Cliff above Whitby in North Yorkshire, England. It was disestablished during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under the auspices of Henry VIII. It is a Grade I Listed building in the care of English Heritage and its site museum is housed in Cholmley House.

Stunning Rievaulx Abbey.

A former Cistercian abbey in Rievaulx, near Helmsley in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, England. Headed by the Abbot of Rievaulx, it was one of the wealthiest abbeys in England until it was dissolved by Henry VIII of England in 1538. Its ruins are a tourist attraction, owned and maintained by English Heritage.

Bolsover Castle (Trip cut short due to illness)

Bolsover Castle is a castle in Bolsover, Derbyshire, England. It was founded in the 12th century by the Peverel family, who also owned Peveril Castle in Derbyshire, and came under royal control in 1155.

Whalley Abbey Ruins (Non-EH)

Whalley Abbey is a former Cistercian abbey in Whalley, Lancashire, England. After the dissolution of the monasteries, the abbey was largely demolished and a country house was built on the site.

Moreton Corbett Castle

Moreton Corbet Castle was formerly known as the Castle at Moreton Toret, and was first built by Bartholomew Toret after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.[10] In about 1239 the castle passed by marriage to the Corbet family, which gave its name to the village. The Corbets still own the castle, but it is now being managed by English Heritage.

Acton Burnel Castle

Acton Burnell Castle is a 13th-century fortified manor house, located near the village of Acton Burnell, Shropshire, England. It is believed that the first Parliament of England at which the Commons were fully represented was held here in 1283.

Wenlock Priory

Wenlock Priory, or St Milburga's Priory, is a ruined 12th century monastery, located in Much Wenlock, Shropshire.

Lilleshall Abbey

Lilleshall Abbey was an Augustinian abbey in Shropshire, England, today located 6 miles north of Telford. It was founded between 1145 and 1148 and followed the austere customs and observance of the Abbey of Arrouaise in northern France.

EVENT "The Illuminated Abbey" Whitby Abbey

See Bram Stoker's inspiration in a new light as Whitby Abbey is illuminated with dramatic coloured floodlighting.

Byland Abbey

Byland Abbey is a ruined abbey and a small village in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, in the North York Moors National Park. It was founded as a Savigniac abbey in January 1135 and was absorbed by the Cistercian order in 1147.

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